Protective effects of <it>Sonchus asper</it> (L.) Hill, (Asteraceae) against CCl₄-induced oxidative stress in the thyroid tissue of rats

• Main Author: Khan Rahmat
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-10-01
• Series: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Subjects: <it>Sonchus asper</it>; Oxidative stress; Antioxidant enzymes; Carbon tetrachloride; T₃; T₄
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/12/181

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Sonchus asper (L.) Hill, (Asteraceae)</it> is used in Pakistan as a traditional (“folk”) medicine for the treatment of hormonal disorders and oxidative stress. The present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of <it>Sonchus asper (L.) Hill, (Asteraceae)</it> methanolic extract (SAME) on hormonal dysfunction in thyroid tissue after carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced oxidative stress.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To examine the effects of SAME against the oxidative stress of CCl₄ in thyroid tissue, 30 male albino rats were used. Protective effects of SAME were observed on thyroid hormonal levels, activities of antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and DNA damage.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Treatment with CCl₄ significantly <it>(P<0.01)</it> reduced the levels of T₃ and T₄ and increased TSH levels. CCl₄ exposure in rats reduced the activities of antioxidant enzymes but increased lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. Co-administration of SAME significantly (<it>P<0.01</it>) improved these alterations with respect to hormonal levels, activities of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation close to those seen in control rats.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results suggest that SAME can protect thyroid tissue against oxidative damage, possibly through the antioxidant effects of its bioactive compounds.</p>